Chosen as the Cursed Alpha's Seventh Bride

Emilia’s POV

"No." Sebastian’s response was clipped, dismissive.

She didn’t even flinch. "Oh, well, maybe some tea then? Or coffee? I make excellent coffee—"

"I don’t want anything."

"That’s fine! You know, I was thinking, there’s this party this weekend that my classmates are throwing. It would be so fun if you and sister could come! It’s at this really nice—"

"I’m not available."

I watched this painful exchange, impressed by Linda’s persistence. She was like a mosquito that wouldn’t die no matter how many times you swatted at it.

"Well, what about next weekend? Or the weekend after that? I’m sure we could find a time that works—"

"I said no."

"Right, of course, you’re so busy. Being an Alpha and running a company must be so demanding. Sister is so lucky to have such a hardworking husband—"

I couldn’t take it anymore. "Linda, maybe we should let Alpha Sebastian rest. He’s had a long day."

She shot me an annoyed look but plastered on another smile. "Of course! I was just trying to get to know my brother-in-law better. Family should be close, right?"

I watched Linda try again to schedule quality time with Sebastian.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened—he was getting annoyed.

Finally, his green eyes cut to me with a look that clearly said, "Are you going to handle this, or should I?"

I shrugged helplessly and threw up my hands.

My expression said it all: I tried. She won’t listen to me. What else do you want me to do?

Something dangerous blazed across Sebastian’s face. He whipped back to Linda with a cold smile.

"Linda," he said calmly. "Let me be very clear since hints don’t work on you. I don’t want to have dinner with you. Not this weekend, not next weekend, not ever. The only reason you’re in this house is because your sister made a poor decision bringing you here. Now, I suggest you take the hint and stop embarrassing yourself."

Linda’s face went from pink to red to pale quickly. "I—I was just trying to be friendly—"

"Friendly?" Sebastian’s eyebrow raised. "You’ve been throwing yourself at me since you walked through that door. It’s sad and it’s making my wolf uncomfortable. So unless you want to find out what happens when an Alpha loses his patience, I’d suggest you leave. Now."

The Alpha command in those last words had Linda practically stumbling backward. She shot me one embarrassed glance before fleeing the room.

I waited until I heard the guest room door slam before letting out a breath. "Well, that was—"

"You have a sister who can’t read a room to save her life," Sebastian interrupted, turning that sharp gaze back on me. "Though I suppose that runs in the family."

I bristled. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Both of you seem to have a talent for overstaying your welcome."

"That’s not fair," I shot back. "I tried to get her to leave. Multiple times. It’s not my fault she’s crazy enough to think you’d actually be interested—"

"Yet somehow she ended up here anyway. Under my roof. Ruining my evening."

"What was I supposed to do? Tell her the truth? ’Sorry, Linda, but my husband actually can’t stand me and this whole marriage is a lie’?"

Sebastian’s lips twitched—was that almost a smile?

"Would have saved us both a lot of trouble."

"You’re impossible."

"And you’re exhausting."

We glared at each other for a moment. Then Sebastian waved a dismissive hand. "Go. Before I say something even worse and you start crying."

"I don’t cry," I replied coldly.

"Someone cries eventually."

"Not me."

"We’ll see."

I turned around and marched back to the guest room, refusing to give him the satisfaction of the last word.

Only then did I realize my mistake.

I hadn’t showered. And the only bathroom in this entire room was in Sebastian’s bedroom.

For about thirty seconds, I seriously considered just not bathing. Pride was a powerful thing. But then I remembered the summer heat, the long day, and the fact that I’d have to face Linda tomorrow morning.

There was no way I was doing that without a shower.

Putting aside my pride, I opened the door.

I could see Sebastian standing by the bed, his suit jacket already thrown aside, his fingers working the buttons of his dress shirt.

One. Two. Three buttons undone, revealing a strip of tanned skin and the edge of what looked like very well-built muscles.

I absolutely did not stare.

He looked up, catching me in the doorway. "What now?"

"I need to use your bathroom," I said, lifting my chin.

"No."

"Sebastian—"

"I just got back from a business reception," he interrupted, continuing with the buttons. "I smell like alcohol and expensive cologne. I need to shower. "

"I’ll be quick," I argued, taking a step into the room. "Five minutes, at most. Then you can have all the time you want to soak in a bubble bath or whatever Alphas do."

"The answer is still no." Another button. More skin. I kept my eyes firmly on his face. "Find another excuse, Emilia. This one isn’t working."

"It’s not an excuse, it’s basic hygiene—"

I ran past him and made a dash for the bathroom door.

"Emilia—"

I slammed the door shut and locked it, pressing my back against the door.

"Sorry!" I called out cheerfully. "But desperate times call for desperate measures!"

"You have three minutes," Sebastian’s voice came through the door. "After that, I’m breaking this door down."

"You wouldn’t dare. It would ruin your expensive woodwork."

"You’re testing me."

"I’m showering," I corrected, already turning on the taps.

His response was a growl that I chose to see as reluctant acceptance.

I quickly took off my clothes and stepped under the hot spray. Heaven. Absolute heaven.

The tension in my shoulders began to melt away, and I allowed myself a moment of pure enjoyment.

Over the past few weeks, I’d gotten surprisingly good at reading Sebastian. His moods were like a storm system—you learned to recognize the warning signs.

Right now, he was annoyed but not truly angry. Annoyed Sebastian I could handle. Angry Sebastian was a different beast entirely.

So yes, I was pushing my luck. But taking careful risks was kind of my specialty.

I’d just reached for the shampoo when reality crashed down on me.

I didn’t bring any clothes.

No pajamas. No robe. Not even a towel that wasn’t already hanging in Sebastian’s bathroom.

Shit.

I sighed deeply, then opened the bathroom door and stuck out my arm, waving it around, hoping I looked pitiful and desperate for help.

"Sebastian?" I called out. "Could you maybe, possibly, do me a tiny favor and get my pajamas from the guest room? They’re on the bed. The blue ones. Please?"